Jan 31, 2011

Here it is 2011, and equality has yet to be fully achieved. Though women make up half of the workforce, they continue to earn far less than their male counterparts. Specifically, African American womenearned about 62 cents for every dollarwhite men made in 2009, according to a study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. And many would argue that part of the problem lies at the negotiating table. According to studies, women are less likely than men to negotiate for high salaries or raises.

It's time to level the playing field. BlackEnterprise.com talked with Keith Wyche, career coach, Cub Foods president and author of Good is Not Enough, about doing just that, taking a page from men's negotiation books to get the compensation you deserve in the workplace.

Don't be afraid to speak up. "In my experience, men don't think twice about asking for what they want," Wyche says. And neither should you. Strategically make your request with confidence, whether you're negotiating your salary at the point of hire or want a raise for being a top performer.

Don't let the idea of the 'good 'ole boys' club intimidate you. Be a thought leader and a top performer so that you've earned the right to get what you want and ask for what you're worth.Build relationships, network and market yourself. Focus on what you bring to the table, not gender. "A male coworker may be more assertive or comfortable in asking for a raise, but if he's not a top performer, his chances are not high for getting that raise," Wyche says.

Remember, it's about bottom line; not emotions. "Don't go in talking about what other people make, because at the end of the day, people negotiate for themselves," Wyche says. Because negotiating can get heated and tough, come prepared with documentation of what you bring to the table, whether you just closed a big deal, added to company profits or successfully pulled off a big project. Be professional and smart, and learn the nuance of getting what you want without taking things personally.

Look for other ways to supplement your full compensation package. Don't limit yourself to just the base salary, Wyche says. Think about the whole package, including stock options, bonuses and other incentives. "If they can't increase the salary offering or give you a raise, don't be afraid to ask for more vacation time or other incentives."

Don't just give up after the first no. Be persistent in getting what you feel you deserve. If the economic outlook of the company does not allow for a raise, wait for better timing and continue doing excellent work, while also documenting your achievements and the measurable benefits your talent brings to the company.

A high school has defended its decision to segregate students by race and gender.

The scheme, at McCaskey East High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, separates black students from the rest of the school pupils, and then further breaks it down into black females and black males.

The separation is only for a short period - six minutes each day and 20 minutes twice a month - but it has drawn criticism for raising the spectre of racial segregation.

Today the school's principal defended the policy.

Bill Jimenez said the school noticed that black students were not performing as well as other students, and that research had shown that same-race classes with strong same-race role models led to better academic results.

Mr Jimenez admitted that no other students were divided by race at the school, but he added that academic data dictated the school take a different approach with its black students.

He told Lancasteronline.com: 'One of the things we said when we did this was, "Let's look at the data, let's not run from it. Let's confront it and see what we can do about it".'

The idea came from Angela Tilghman, an instructional coach at McCaskey East.

She said statistics had shown about a third of McCaskey's African-Americans scored proficient or advanced in reading on last year's Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests, compared with 60 per cent of white students and 42 per cent of students overall.

In mathematics, only 27 per cent of black students scored proficient or advanced.

She said research had shown that grouping black students by gender with a strong role model could boost both academic achievement and self-esteem.

Some students, staff and parents were against the segregation, saying that it ran against everything the school stood for - with students from diverse backgrounds.

But it was something Mr Jimenez thought was worth trying.

In all segregated classes, mentors track their students' grades, test scores and attendance.

One such mentor is Michael Mitchell, who hopes to inspire his black male students during their short daily meetings.

He said he often quoted the Reverend Martin Luther King, who said: 'Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.'

Mr Mitchell recently used the quote when he found that some of his students were failing gym.

He said: 'They're all young. They're all strong. They're all athletic. But they're failing because they chose not to participate.

'That's an example of "conscientious stupidity". You can do but you choose not to do. These are the things we need to get away from.

What was your Michael Vick experience this year? Did you get increasingly giddy as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback — and convicted felon — mounted his remarkable comeback? Did your jaw drop right into the pretzel bowl as he broke records against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football or when he beat the New York Giants almost single-handedly? If so, did you then feel guilty about lauding a man who'd systematically tortured and murdered dogs — a man who had dispensed so much cruelty? But, then, did the guilt pass quickly because, well — did you just see that play?

Or were you disgusted, disappointed that the nation would celebrate such a person just because he throws an oblong ball better than most people alive?

Or did you maybe swell with pride, assured that cosmic justice was being done, because you'd always thought the demonization of Vick reeked of racism and double standards?

Although fans are excitedly awaiting the Feb. 6 Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, Vick's epic second act was the most electrifying story line of the 2010 NFL season. It was also the most polarizing. Does Vick's story really say something about redemption, one of the more hackneyed concepts in American society? Does he expose the hypocrisy of an American culture that is sanctimonious about private indiscretions but then forgiving of a public winner? Or has Vick's case always been an overblown media scandal that lays uncomfortably bare our national original sin: a deeply ingrained hostility towards the black man? How you feel about Michael Vick might say less about him and more about you.

Vick has behaved admirably since his release from prison in July 2009. He volunteers his time to warn others against repeating his mistakes. On the field, though he threw an ill-advised interception at the end of Philadelphia's Jan. 9 playoff loss to the Packers, his season-long performance was, by all objective measures, stunning. He's gone from prison to the Pro Bowl, which will be played Jan. 30 in Honolulu. His future employment, whether with the Eagles or another team willing to break the bank to sign him, will be a topic of off-season obsession. Vick is back atop America's most popular, most lucrative spectator sport, a $9 billion business that has roared through the recession. No matter how he jumbles your emotions, his campaign is a comeback tale unmatched in American public life.

Martin Luther King III invoked the spirit of his late father as he confirmed his involvement in discussions to purchase a part of the New York Mets.

In a late-night statement released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday, King said that he hoped that the venture, if successful, would increase diversity among the owners in professional sports.

Major league baseball has no African-American owners.

"I believe in the merit and American value of creating an example," King said in the statement, "and if I personally, or as part of a collective, can advance the vision of a more diverse ownership group in professional sports, domestically or internationally, then, like my father, I am prepared to act in that spirit."

He added, "There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about my participation in the acquisition of the New York Mets. The public release of those discussions was premature."

King declined through a spokesman to elaborate on a report in the New York Post that he is collaborating with several major money players in the venture, including Mets legend Ed Kranepool, entrepreneur Donn Clendenon Jr., son of the 1969 Mets World Series MVP; and TV executive Larry Meli.

"It's fitting with the legacy of Jackie Robinson essentially transferring to the Mets; what better place to have African-American ownership than with the Mets," Meli told the Post.

King, 53, is scheduled to come to New York this week to set up a meeting with the owners, who announced Friday they're looking to sell up to 25 percent of the team, the Post said. Meli told the Post he and his group wants to purchase at least 50 percent of the club.

"Martin Luther King Jr. died for the common man to do better in his life," Meli said. "That sort of legacy is going to take hold here." source

Bishop Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, has made an unusual appeal on YouTube on behalf of several members who are facing financial hardships because of investments that went "sour."

In the YouTube video, Long said that a year or so ago, the church held a financial seminar to empower members and help them build a better quality of life. Long said several members made investments through City Capital Corp., and that some retirement accounts related to those have tanked.

It was not known when the video was made. Its posting time on YouTube was 10 p.m. EST.

According to a press release about the video obtained by the AJC, Long said several members alerted him "about a troubling investment that could eclipse a million dollars." The release said that Long decided to make a public appeal to help members resolve their "dispute with City Capital Corp. and its CEO Ephren Taylor."

The video and release offered few specifics and it's unclear how many New Birth members were affected in the deals.

The video does not mention that Taylor resigned from City Capital on Oct. 22. In announcing Taylor's resignation on Oct. 22, the company said his departure "was not the result of any disagreements with the Company regarding its operations, policies, or practices."

Neither City Capital nor Taylor could be reached for comment overnight.

The release said members have disclosed that many have suffered deep financial hardships because of the matter.

Long, who has been embroiled in recent months in lawsuits involving allegations of sexual abuse, said the matter "touches my heart deeply."

He said that neither he nor New Birth benefited from the investments and urged City Capital and Taylor to "do what's right" and return the investments with interest, if possible.

Kelley Williams-Bolar, a single Akron mother who was sentenced to jail after tampering with records so her children could attend a suburban school, may soon get to return to her job with the Akron Public Schools.

David W. James, superintendent of Akron schools, released a statement Friday saying, "Although we understand this is a difficult issue, Ms. Williams-Bolar served her time. Barring any further action by the ODE (Ohio Department of Education), she will be returning to work in the near future."

Williams-Bolar has been employed full time in good standing with Akron Public Schools since 2008, and the conviction is not an absolute bar to employment, James said in his statement. "The decision to revoke or suspend her educational assistant certificate," he wrote, "belongs to the Ohio Department of Education."

The Akron school system was required by law to report her conviction to the state Department of Education.

A judge in the Summit County Ohio Court of Common Pleas sentenced Williams-Bolar to 10 days in jail after a jury convicted her on two felony counts of tampering with records in the process of enrolling her children in Copley-Fairlawn schools in August 2006.

The judge allowed the 40-year-old Williams-Bolar to be released a day early.

The Williams-Bolar's case has attracted national and international attention, with some even asking if she is the "Rosa Parks" of education.

Williams-Bolar, who lives in Akron public housing and is studying in college to become a teacher, used her father's address to enroll her two daughters in the Copley-Fairlawn School District. She has said she wanted a safer environment for her children.

"She just wanted her children to be safe, just like any other parent would want," said her father, Edward L. Williams, told BlackAmericaWeb.com in an interview last week. "This is not about the school. She just wanted her children in a safe environment," Williams said.

The prosecutor who handled the case released a statement Friday defending that office's actions.

"While this case is truly an unfortunate situation, the fact remains that Kelley Williams-Bolar was prosecuted because she repeatedly and willfully broke the law, as a jury of her peers unanimously affirmed in court," Sherri Bevan Walsh said in her prepared statement.

Sources familiar with the case say that the jury of 12 also included five blacks.

"Prior to prosecution, she had many options available that did not include breaking the law, including working with the Copley school district before the case reached a criminal felony level," Walsh said. "There are many single mothers and families in similar situations who want the best for their children who are not breaking the law."

Copley-Fairlawn Superintendent Brian Poe told BlackAmericaweb.com that Williams-Bolar had the option of paying the $6,850 tuition each year per child or move into the district so her daughters could remain in district schools.

"Ms. Williams-Bolar was the only case that could not be resolved at the parent level because she would not acknowledge that she did anything wrong, and she refused to cooperate in any way," Walsh said in the statement. "As such, this office had no choice but to take action against Ms. Williams-Bolar, in accordance with the law and on behalf of residents that choose to follow the rules."

Jan 28, 2011

This documentary was presented at the 2010 "You're Beautiful, Woman" in Europe. It was made by renowned film producer and film maker, Isaac Asha Tomiczek. The documentary tackles the thought-provoking, controversial and often sensitive issue of beauty and black women’s experience of beauty. This goes beyond race or racial stereo-typing but deals with an issue which is so often overlooked by mainstream society. At the same time it is a real reflection of the struggles that all women, regardless of age, experience, race and background, have to deal with in the acceptance of their own identities.

The film will not only feature women from all backgrounds including the critically acclaimed Shingai Shoniwa (The Noisettes), Zaraah Abraham, Judith Jacob, Angie Le Mar, DJ MistaJam, Jasmia Robinson (Britain’s Next Top Model Finalist), Des O'Connor (the UK’s only black dating coach) and the Dream Team (Maggi Udofia, Ronke Lawal, Lillian Ogbogoh, Ronke Adeyemi, Sophia A Jackson and Angel Smith) but men too. A provocative and inspirational film which will leave a resonating imprint in the minds of the many who watch and the few who never understood “What makes the black woman beautiful”.

Even though I was only five years old when the Challenger disaster happened, I can remember it quite vividly. My kindergarten teacher had the television on in our classroom so we could watch it. It was a major event to watch a shuttle being launched into outer space. I think the teacher was more excited than the kids because of the fact that Christa McAuliffe, a school teacher, was apart of the crew. There are certain things in one's life that she/he never forgets and the Challenger disaster is one of those things for me.

An Akron, Ohio mother still has major hurdles following early release from jail on a 10-day sentence and conviction on charges she tampered with records to get her daughters in a better school and a safer environment.

Kelley Williams-Bolar, a resident of Akron public housing, used her father's address in the Copley-Fairlawn School District so her two daughters could attend school there.

Williams-Bolar is a teacher's assistant in Akron, and was enrolled in college studying to become a teacher. During her four-day trial earlier this month, she said she wanted her children to be in a safe environment.

Now, her residential status with the public housing authority is in question. Also, her conviction on felony charges means she would need approval to work with public school children, said Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville, who has been working to assist the family.

"We're hoping to work it all out. We're asking how you can kick someone out of public housing whose children were not allowed to continue school in another area because they didn't live there?" Sommerville told BlackAmericaweb.com.

"It may be that they'll want to adjust her rent if the children don't live with her," he said.

Also, Sommerville and other community leaders have been speaking to school officials on Williams-Bolar's behalf.

"Hopefully, she will get to keep her job," he said.

Williams-Bolar was convicted on Jan. 15 by a 12-member jury that included five blacks, according to community leaders familiar with the case.

She was ordered to report to the Summit County Jail on Jan. 18, in a city that has seen its share of crime in recent weeks. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Jan. 17, just hours before Williams-Bolar was sent to jail, two gunmen walked into an area storefront casino, robbed it, and shot an employee in the head, according to sheriff department reports.

In another development, a petition was launched Wednesday on the social action site Change.org, calling for Ohio Gov. John Kasich to pardon Williams-Bolar.

In less than two days, more than 55,000 people have signed the online petition, and it keeps growing, said Patrick Schmitt, Change.org director of global campaigns.

"Our members are very passionate about this issue. It resonates because here we have a mother trying to get what is best for her children and getting sent to jail for it," Schmitt told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

"This petition already is among the top five for us, ever," Schmitt said. "It will stay up until Governor Kasich takes action, and we're hoping that will only be a couple of days."

Each time someone signs the petition, an email goes to the governor, "so he already has received more than 50,000 emails," Schmitt said.

Jan 27, 2011

Kelly Williams-Bolar is a hero in my book. She refused to let her circumstances dictate her children's future. I know a lot of people are going to complain about the fact that she broke the law and used taxpayers money to send her kids to school for free, but I say to hell with those people. Kelly's father pays school taxes and he doesn't have children in school so technical he was paying for his grandkids to attend. So exactly how was the school system being defrauded?

Kelly is a Warrior Mother and she was looking out for the best interests of her children. A lotof times we complain about the fact that people are not taking more of an interest in their children's education, but her we have a woman who was willing to risk her freedom in order to ensure her children's future. How many of us can say we would do that?

This woman should never have been locked up and the fact that she was is a huge miscarriage of justice in my opinion. Parents should not be forced to send their children to schools that they feel are unsafe. People like Kelly Williams-Bolar are not the problem. It's the system that's the problem and more of us need to take a stand and say enough is enough.

An Akron, Ohio mother of two was released from jail Wednesday after serving most of her 10-day sentence following a conviction on charges she tampered with records so her daughters could attend a school in a better district.

Judge Patricia Cosgrove of the Court of Common Pleas ordered Kelley Williams-Bolar to the Summit County Jail in a sentence that began on Jan. 18, according to court documents reviewed by BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Wednesday, following a request from family and friends, the judge allowed the 40-year-old Williams-Bolar to be released a day early, said the Rev. Lorenzo Glenn, an Akron minister who has been assisting the family.

"You have not because you ask not, so we just asked," Glenn told BlackAmericaWeb.com. "When the judge called me, she said Kelley would be released in 40 minutes. Instead, she was ready to go in about eight minutes."

Still, Williams-Bolar has to fulfill other requirements of her penalty. She must perform 80 hours of community service and will be under court supervision for two years, as a result of the Jan. 15 jury verdict.

Williams-Bolar is a single mother who worked during the day as a teacher's assistant with special education students in the Akron public school system. After work, she was attending college, preparing to become a teacher.

Williams-Bolar lives in an Akron public housing community. She wanted her daughters to attend school in the Copley-Fairlawn School District so that they could be safe with an adult while she pursued her degree.

"She just wanted her children to be safe, just like any other parent would want," her father, Edward L. Williams, told BlackAmericaweb.com. "This is not about the school. She just wanted her children in a safe environment."

Her father's address was used as the girls' home address in a school system that has been cracking down on out-of-zone students.

The elder Williams, who lives in the Copley-Fairlawn School District, was also brought up on charges of defrauding the school system of two years of educational services for the girls. School officials have estimated that those services were worth about $30,500 in tuition.

The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on Edward Williams' charges, and Cosgrove declared a mistrial.

Tuesday, Williams said the family was coping with the situation as best as it can.

"People in the community still are in shock," Williams said. "They can't believe something this stupid happened."

Some groups are meeting to discuss strategy for a response to the situation, he said. "I don't know why they decided to prosecute my daughter."

Glenn said Williams-Bolar's record should be expunged.

"We don't know why they decided to prosecute her, and we certainly don't know why they wanted to charge her with a felony in this case," Glenn said. "If this felony remains on her record, there are at least 325 jobs she would be excluded from."

Currently, the family doesn't have a lawyer. The attorney who represented them during the trial has moved on, Williams said.

Williams-Bolar's daughters, now ages 16 and 12, stayed with Williams while their mother was in jail, he said. They stopped attending school in the Copley-Fairlawn district before the start of the 2009 school year.

Williams-Bolar is not the only parent accused of enrolling students out-of-zone in the Copley- Fairlawn district. School officials testified that there were 30 to 40 similar cases during the same time Williams-Bolar was investigated.

Jan 26, 2011

A body pulled from the Mississippi River has been tentatively identified as the brother of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, authorities said Wednesday at a news conference attended by the NFL star.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said tattoos on the body recovered late Tuesday appear to match those belonging to 28-year-old Brian Reed, who jumped into the river after an encounter with a sheriff's deputy. An autopsy was planned for Thursday.

Ed Reed said his brother was driving another brother's car on Jan. 7 and was suffering "mental issues" that day. The family reported the car as being driven without authorization to "basically slow my brother down and just bring him in, bring him home," Reed added.

"Unfortunately, he thought otherwise," he said of his brother. "There was nothing illegal going on or anything like that."

A deputy later spotted Brian Reed with the car, which had run out of gas. Champagne said the deputy had an "amicable" conversation with Reed and offered to help him get gas, but he declined. As the deputy started to leave, a call came over the radio that Reed was suspected of using the car without authorization.

When the deputy started to pat him down, Reed pulled away and started to "jog off," Champagne said. The deputy followed Reed and saw him run over a levee but didn't see him enter the water, about 30 miles northwest of New Orleans.

"For reasons that only Brian would know, he chose to go into the river," Champagne said.

The family has said investigators found Brian Reed's shoes and jacket, but there was no sign of him until earlier this week.

The body was first spotted Sunday, but search teams were impeded by river conditions. The current is swift as it winds toward the Gulf of Mexico, lodging debris against the levee and then pushing it back toward the channel. Boats searched the river, and sonar and divers were called in.

Champagne said the body was mired in a "jungle of debris" and for a time he was uncertain it could be recovered.

"We're just hopeful the Reed family can have some peace now," he said.

Brian Reed is survived by a 2-year-old son.

"He was a loving kid," Ed Reed said. "He had a son who he cherished and loved. That was his reason for living."

Ed Reed said he was grateful for support from his Ravens teammates while the team was still in the NFL playoffs. Baltimore was eliminated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs.

"We are not immune from trials and tribulations that go on through life," Reed said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Arianna Huffington and BET co-founder Sheila Johnson recently announced that they will be partnering to launch a new website section on Huffington Post that will be called, "HuffPost Global Black." This new section, which will likely launch in March, will purportedly "focus on current events and cultural trends from a black perspective from across the globe—from politics and economics to music and sports—and will feature content ranging from dynamic storytelling to investigative reporting."

Since the abovementioned news was promulgated, there has been a vast range of opinions marked with strong dichotomy. Some critics wholeheartedly believe that African-Americans are getting a "separate water fountain" from the elitist left. Conversely, there are certain commentators who think that the strategic partnership is necessary because stories of importance to the black community need more exposure. Who is right in their assessment?

Is the proposed HuffPost Global Black merely a sign of liberal condescension and arrogance? Is the very nature of this venture somehow racist in scope? Also, is this new website section really necessary, when there are already a plethora of good African-American websites and media outlets that already cover current events, cultural trends, politics and other important topics from a black global perspective?

First, in examining the opinions of the critics of the proposed HuffPost Global Black, are African-Americans truly getting "back of the bus" treatment from affluent progressives on the HuffPost staff? Without prevarication, HuffPost is arguably the nation's leading news website and content blog from a liberal perspective. With over 3,000 bloggers including a large host of celebrities covering a diverse array of subjects such as politics, media, business, entertainment, living, comedy, green issues and style, HuffPost does have a significantly large following with over one million comments made each month. One would reason that within this robust framework that commentaries presented on HuffPost would already present a wide range of ethnic perspectives and implications on the aforementioned topics. Thus, there would not be a need for a separate black or Hispanic-focused section—which also will be released later this year—on HuffPost. Unfortunately, upon thorough analysis, one will find that most of the coverage on the site does not embody how particular issues will affect different ethnic groups both here and abroad. Is this necessarily racist in context? Absolutely not. In the scope of continual improvement, the proposition of HuffPost Global Black could plausibly be seen as HuffPost's recognition of this fact and its effort to finally diversify their writing staff, ultimately bringing forth those forgotten voices and perspectives.

Vick has signed his first paid endorsement contract since his release from prison. The Philadelphia Eagles' Pro Bowl quarterback inked a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a provider of the football pads Vick wore most of last season.

The deal will be announced on Thursday.

"We're real excited about it," chief executive officer Rob Vito said Tuesday. "Michael is good people. He paid his dues. President Obama reached out to him. He deserves an opportunity. This is what makes America so great. He's moved forward. He's a whole other person."

Vito said Vick is the company's first corporate spokesman. Terms of his deal weren't disclosed. But Vito said it's a "sizable" contract.

"We believe it was worth it," he said, "because of Michael Vick and how he can shed light on the technology of our products."

Unequal Technologies makes several shock-blocking sports pads. When Vick returned after missing three games with a rib injury, he wore a vest designed by Unequal. He later wore shoulder pads and thigh pads made by the company.

"The Unequal technology is a part of my game now and I won't play without my Unequal," Vick said in a statement acquired by the Associated Press. "Unequal's protective power gives me a whole new level of confidence in my game. It makes me feel invincible."

Steve Harvey took to his nationally syndicated radio show yesterday to address salacious allegations that his ex-wife, Mary Shackelford, posted via YouTube. In her videos Shackelford claims that the King of Comedy was a serial cheater who left her for his current wife, Marjorie Bridges Harvey.

Since their 2005 divorce, Shackelford claimed that she now has nothing, as Harvey also has full custody of their 15-year-old son, Wynton.

Now, the New York Times best-selling author's current wife has retained an attorney to fight the allegations that she was the other woman, something that she said has left her both "shocked and dismayed."

Marjorie is pursuing a lawsuit against Shackelford.

"As a wife and a mother, I cannot stand back and allow the defamation of my character or actions that will malign my family," the philanthropist said in a statement released through her attorney C. Anthony Mulrain, exclusively released to BlackVoices.com.

"So, I will do what I need to do to the greatest extent of the law."

Shackelford claimed she found e-mails and text messages between her 'Family Feud' talk show host ex-husband and Marjorie and that after she expressed a desire to get a divorce, he left and fled to New York City to be with Marjorie.

An Ohio mother of two was sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on three years probation after sending her kids to a school district in which they did not live. Kelly Williams-Bolar was sentenced by Judge Patricia Cosgrove on Tuesday and will begin serving her sentence immediately.

The jury deliberated for seven hours and the courtroom was packed as the sentence was handed down. She was convicted on two counts of tampering with court records after registering her two girls as living with Williams Bolar's father when they actually lived with her. The family lived in the housing projects in Akron, Ohio, and the father's address was in nearby Copley Township.

Additionally, Williams-Bolar's father, Edward L. Williams, was charged with a fourth-degree felony of grand theft, in which he and his daughter are charged with defrauding the school system for two years of educational services for their girls. The court determined that sending their children to the wrong school was worth $30,500 in tuition.

But the burgeoning media darling [Steve Harvey] took to the radio airwaves this morning (Jan. 24) during a segment on his nationally syndicated radio program, 'The Steve Harvey Show' to clear up any misconceptions. The show shared the taping exclusively with Blackvoices.com:

"I know the truth," declared Harvey to his listening audience. "But the matter is, the part that's hurtful in this is my wife and children had to be drugged [sic] into this. If you're going to be vindictive go ahead and aim it at me, but my son is coming in the room crying. And that's also her son. So why you would do this?

"And I don't even understand the purpose of it," he continued. "I mean, I got you mad 12 years ago, that's what we're doing now? And here's the thing that my father always taught me. He said, 'Son there's three sides to every story. It's their side, it's your side, and it's the truth.' And the truth 'gon come out. Because see, once you go public then you allow people to start asking some other types of questions.

"So, I'm just more concerned about my son, who I happen to have total custody of, rights to all education and everything. He's with us on the ship today. And he doesn't deserve to have to answer questions like this from his friends. And it's just being inconsiderate of your own child.

"A lot of it is lies, but ... a lot of celebrities get dogged out and pitched about and then there's no repercussions behind the person who's doing the pitching," Harvey lamented on the airwaves."Here's my job as a father to my son, I have taught him to be respectful of his mother and women overall. That's what I've taught him. What he can't do is see me going out making particular accusations and rants. It is still his mother and I'm his father," he continued. "And it's my job to raise him the right way. If I have custody of the child, which you have to wonder how that happened, then my job is to teach him by example. And he's crying through this whole thing because his friends called and his sister found it on the internet at the same time. And it's just horrible. But it is what it is, I'm good. I appreciate all the support ... the people that's going to hate you they're just looking for something to hate you for anyway. You could do me all you want, I don't care what you say about me. But my wife and kids are off limits, I tell people all the time."

The multimedia personality went on to express his thoughts on his ex-wife's motives for bringing the accusations to light. "I mean it's simple, she's just keeping a promise that they made. 'I'm going to divorce you and I'm going to ruin you,'" he stated, referring to what some spurned spouses say during a divorce. "That's the promise that was made... But, Wynton's with us and he's doing well. If you want to pray for us then pray for Wynton. But things will be dealt with in the proper fashion this time. This time it'll get dealt with in the proper fashion."

A statement released by the "Dr. Phil" show confirms that Williams has left the rehab which was being provided by the show

"Ted was given the chance to voluntarily enter a drug rehabilitation facility in order to help him in dealing with his dependency on drugs and alcohol. In that it is voluntary, the decision to remain in treatment is Ted's to make.

We certainly hope that he continues his commitment to sobriety, and we will continue to help and support him in any way that we can. We wish him well."

- Dr. Phil McGraw

TMZ.com reports that Williams left against medical advice, two weeks after checking in for drug and alcohol dependency.

Sources told the website that the Internet sensation left the Origins Recovery Center in South Texas on Monday and was on his way to the airport.

His girlfriend is currently in rehab at the Safe Harbor facility in Costa Mesa, Calif., according to the report.

Williams decided to enter a private rehabilitation facility following a one-on-one conversation with Dr. Phil.

Jan 24, 2011

Steve Harvey's attornery, Bobbie Edmonds, sent out a statement on his behalf to counter the videos that were put out by Mary Harvey this past weekend.

Here is what the statement said:

On behalf of Mr. Steve harvey,

We are appalled and aware of the videos and other fabricated documents, which were placed on the internet over the weekend by the ex-wife of Mr. Steve Harvey, which contained false, misleading, derogatory, disparaging, malicious, explicit and slanderous information about Mr. Harvey, his current wife and others.

We are saddened that the ex-wife has resorted to such devious and selfish behavior, with a reckless disregard for their minor son, her adult son and Mr. harvey's other children.

The ex-wife is fully aware of the court's current orders and permanent injunctions which prohibit either party, their lawers or representatives from discussing and releasing information on the internet and to the media.

We are taking the necessary legal steps to rectify this matter to the full extent of the law, and we will be seeking contempt and sanctions against her for such reprehensible and callous disregard for the court orders.

Mr. Harvey cannot personally respond to these assertions, documents and videos due to the existing court gag orders.

Oprah Winfrey has a half-sister named Patricia who was given up for adoption by Winfrey's mother, Vernita Lee, shortly after her birth in 1963.

That's the big secret.

"Patricia is my half-sister who I never knew existed," Oprah said on Monday's show.

USA TODAY's Judy Keen reports from Chicago that Patricia - whose last name was not revealed - was given up by Oprah's mom because wanted to get off welfare and knew that if she had another child, that might be impossible. Lee said she "wasn't able to take care of" her new daughter.

Patricia lived in foster homes until she was 7, including some that were "not so good," she said Monday. Patricia said she always hoped her birth mother would return for her.

By 17, Patricia was a single mother. She has two grown children, a daughter and son.

"Oh my God, I have a family" was her reaction when she found out she had three siblings, Patricia said. One of those siblings, the only one still alive, was Winfrey.

Just before Thanksgiving, Winfrey said, she was told "a bombshell family secret." The story would have become public and been "exploited" eventually, Winfrey said, "so I wanted you to hear it from me first."

Patricia is several inches shorter than Winfrey, but the half-sisters are similar in appearance, with round faces and the same smile.

Winfrey said she had no idea her mother had given up a baby when she was 9 and living with her father Vernon Winfrey in Nashville.

Winfrey said in previews for the show that the news "literally shook me to my core" and called the reunion "a miracle."

How did the reunion happen? Patricia said she saw Lee in a TV interview discussing her three acknowledged children and began to put the pieces together. Her son, Andre, went online and found the birthdates of Patricia's siblings, including Winfrey. "We realized that Oprah could be my sister," Patricia said. That was in 2007. Lee and Patricia both still live in Milwaukee.

Patricia kept her connection to Winfrey a secret because she worried it would create a media frenzy. "I did not want her hurt," Patricia said.

Winfrey called their first encounter "a beloved moment."

She then brought Patricia on stage. Winfrey teared up as soon as she was seated beside her half-sister and clasped her hand.

Last week, Winfrey and Patricia visited their mother in Milwaukee. Winfrey said her mother recently had a small stroke.

In a taped segment, Lee said she was "so shocked" to know that Patricia had been trying to reach her. "I thought it was a terrible thing for me to do, that I had done – gave up my daughter when she was born," Lee said.

Lee said she tried to find her baby soon after Patricia's birth and was told "she had left."

Asked how that made her feel, Patricia wept and said, "I always had a feeling that she didn't need to give me up, and her saying that she came back to get me, it means a lot."

Winfrey said her mother "is still stuck in 1963" and still carries "the shame" of Patricia's birth, making her reluctant to welcome her daughter into her life now.

"You can let the shame go," Winfrey said to the camera, addressing her mother. "You can let that go."

The idea of a so-called post-racial America was widely discussed, debated and even seen as an achievement by some with Barack Obama's inauguration as president of the United States.

For Blacks in Greenwood, Mississippi, the notion that America has gotten beyond race isn't popular today. Many are angry over the recent mysterious hanging death of Frederick Jermaine Carter.

"This is 2010 and we still have Black people hanging from trees? They're saying he hung himself but I have doubt in my mind that he actually did that. That wasn't his character. This wasn't a suicide, this was a homicide," said Sunflower, Miss., Mayor Michael Pembleton, Jr. to The Final Call.

The body of Mr. Carter, 26, was found Dec. 3 hanging from an oak tree in the predominately White North Greenwood area of Leflore County. The young man lived in neighboring Sunflower County, located several miles away. Mr. Carter's stepfather told law enforcement that he was working in the area with his stepson when Mr. Carter wandered off.

County Sheriff Ricky Banks reportedly told the media the young man had a "mental condition and a history of wandering off." He also publicly stated that he saw no signs at the scene pointing towards it being a crime or murder.

Mr. Banks said evidence shows Mr. Carter dragged an old frame of a nearby table, leaned it against the trunk of the tree and commenced to tying himself to the tree limb.

"The frame probably broke, possibly because Carter kicked it out from under himself," Mr. Banks told reporters.

The preliminary autopsy results by the Leflore County Coroner's Office declared it a suicide.

The deceased man's family and community leaders don't accept the official explanations and are calling for further investigation.

"Because there has been no investigation on the part of the local officials into this as a crime, we're calling on the federal government to conduct an independent investigation. We want the U.S. Justice department to look into this," attorney Valerie Hicks Powe told The Final Call in a phone interview on Dec. 13.

Ms. Powe, who is based in Birmingham, Ala., is the spokesperson for the victim's family. "A crime scene was never established. They never roped the scene off and this has not been treated as a crime. There is no reason to believe that he would commit suicide. We appreciate attention being brought to this because we need an outcry from the people," she said.

NEW YORK (AP) — A North Carolina woman who raised a child snatched from a New York hospital more than two decades ago was scheduled to appear Monday in federal court to face kidnapping charges.

Ann Pettway surrendered Sunday morning to the FBI and Bridgeport, Conn., police on a warrant from North Carolina, where she's on probation because of a conviction for attempted embezzlement, FBI supervisory special agent William Reiner said. She turned herself in days after a widely publicized reunion between the child she raised, now an adult, and her biological mother.

Carlina White was just 19 days old when her parents took her to Harlem Hospital in the middle of the night with a high fever. Joy White and Carl Tyson said a woman who looked like a nurse had comforted them. The couple left the hospital to rest, but their baby was missing when they went back. No suspects were identified.

Carlina is now 23 and has been living under the name Nejdra Nance in Connecticut and in the Atlanta area. She said she had long suspected Pettway wasn't her biological mother because she could never provide her with a birth certificate and because she didn't look like anyone else in Pettway's family.

She periodically checked the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and while looking through New York photos early this month found one that looked nearly identical to her own baby picture. She contacted Joy White through the center.

White and Nance met in New York before DNA tests were complete, confident they were mother and daughter. After the test results confirmed it Wednesday, Nance returned from Atlanta to be with White again.

Pettway remained in custody Sunday and couldn't be reached for comment. A woman who answered the phone at a Pettway relative's home in Bridgeport on Sunday refused to comment on her surrender.

Pettway received two years of probation last June after she took items from a store where she worked, which is considered embezzlement under North Carolina law, state correction spokeswoman Pamela Walker said. Under terms of her probation, she wasn't allowed to leave the state.

Department of Correction officials there tried repeatedly to contact her after finding out investigators wanted to question her in Carlina's 1987 abduction.

North Carolina officials said Friday they believed Pettway was on the run from authorities. They said Sunday they would seek her extradition.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A second-grade teacher in Northern California was placed on leave while a school and police investigate accounts by students that classmates engaged in oral sex and stripped off some of their clothes during class, officials said Friday.

The investigation was under way at Markham Elementary School in Oakland, where the principal notified parents of the situation in a letter Thursday.

"We believe if the reports are true, there was a serious lapse of judgment or lack of supervision in the classroom," said Troy Flint, a spokesman for the Oakland Unified School District. "We're investigating how could this have happened. It seems unthinkable to us, just the same way it does to the public."

The male teacher, whose name has not been released, told investigators he did not see any of the acts that authorities suspect occurred last week. The teacher is barred from campus at least until the investigation is completed.

The principal learned of the allegations Wednesday after a student gave an account to a teacher's assistant, Flint said.

"Upon hearing these reports, we immediately launched an investigation which, to date, suggests that the reports have merit," Principal Pam Booker wrote in the letter to parents. "We have interviewed all the student participants who were implicated, as well as their teacher, and we continue to investigate the matter aggressively."

One incident involved several students who partially undressed and acted disruptively during class, while the other involved students who engaged in oral sex, district officials said.

"I apologize for this and assure you that we are collaborating with counselors and parents to provide support to those involved, address any concerns and take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that a similar act does not occur again," Booker told parents in the letter.

Counselors were at the school Friday to speak with students.

District officials emphasized the students were not accused of any wrongdoing.

"It's an incident of kids expressing their natural curiosity that went too far because an adult didn't step in," Flint said.

Some parents said they were outraged when they received the letter and saw the story on the news.

"It kind of scares me to know that the teachers aren't really watching them," said Ane Musuva, who has two children at Markham. "I don't want my kids growing up in this type of environment."

If you saw Oprah on the new Piers Morgan show on CNN this past Monday, you know they both made a friendly wager as to which one would land an interview with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick first.

Well, on Wednesday Vick was on the Mike Missanelli radio show on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia when he was asked by the host about the bet and which one he thinks will win.

TORONTO - Director Spike Lee says he's still waiting for Hollywood to open up to black filmmakers in a meaningful way.

Days before the Academy Award nominations are to be announced, the outspoken director says not much has changed since the historical 2002 Oscar wins of Denzel Washington and Halle Berry.

That ceremony marked the first time both the best actor and best actress Oscars went to African-American actors. That same year, Sidney Poitier was given a lifetime achievement award.

Lee says the high-profile wins had observers declaring "a new dawn" in Hollywood's racial landscape, but adds that nothing has changed since then.

The director, whose films include "Malcolm X" and "Do the Right Thing," says it will take more than an award to change the movie business.

Lee heads to Toronto next week to take part in the Canadian Film Centre's celebrations to mark Black History Month. He'll be discussing the use of music in his films with Toronto-based director Clement Virgo.

At last year's event, Virgo discussed race issues with acclaimed filmmaker Norman Jewison and director Lee Daniels, who was riding high on an Oscar nomination for helming the film "Precious."

The nod made Daniels only the second black filmmaker to be nominated for best director in the history of the Academy Awards. The first was John Singleton, who was nominated in 1992 for "Boys N the Hood."

"That was not a watershed moment," Lee said Thursday of Daniels' success (the best-directing Oscar ultimately went to Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker").

"I remember a couple years ago, when three or four black people won — Halle won an Academy Award, Denzel won and Sidney Poitier won a career achievement award and people were saying, like, 'Oh, this is a new dawn.

"Nothing happened, you know. People looking at superficial things trying to think there's great movement that happened. And it hasn't happened."

Despite critical acclaim for his work, Lee has never been nominated for best directing Oscar — only in the screenwriting and documentary categories.

The Academy Award nominations come out Tuesday — the same day Lee is due to speak in the city. Leading contenders this year include "The Social Network," "The King's Speech" and "Black Swan." There are no obvious African-American frontrunners.

Speaking from a Minneapolis airport as he waited for a flight to St. Louis, Lee said technology has opened the door to marginalized voices by allowing more independent films to be made, but that too has had little impact in expanding attitudes.

"Independent filmmakers don't have a place in theatres, per se, to show their work outside festivals. So it's half empty, half full," he said. source

*****The Savvy Sista's Two and a Half Cents*****

See, this is why someone like a Spike Lee should team up with Tyler Perry in Atlanta. Instead of us waiting for Hollywood to recognize us we need to be doing our own thing. Can you imagine the types of films that could be produced if Tyler and Spike just worked together? Tyler has the studio and Spike has the insight. The pairing of the two would make for a formidable team.

For too long we have looked for acceptance from a group that refuses to acknowledge our contributions. I say enough already. How about we do our OWN thing and produce films that we want to see? Hollywood is never going to recognize us. To placate us, they will continue to throw us a bone or two, but there will never be this watershed moment that Spike is hoping for. It may seem as though I'm taking the pessimistic route, but you know I'm telling the truth.

GIBill.com – a site with the latest information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more military education benefits news– is hosting a photo scholarship contest that's open to anyone currently using the GI Bill.Contest participants submit a photo, along with a short caption explaining their reasons for going to school, in order to have a chance at winning a $500 scholarship.

Foster City, CA (CISION) January 24, 2011 – GIBill.com, a site with the latest information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more military education benefits news, has officially launched "Declare Your Major," a scholarship contest to support servicemembers and veterans who are in pursuit of an education.

Scholarship contest participants must submit a photo which best represents their desire to attend school, along with a short one to two sentence caption describing the image and how it connects to their goals.GIBill.com will choose the two best photos and the winning participants will receive a $500 scholarship to be used at the school of the winner's choice.

"We recognize that servicemembers have academic ambitions and this is a creative way to provide them with assistance and help them achieve their educational goals," said GIBill.com spokesperson, Alisa Stoudt."Incorporating photos into a scholarship promotion is a great way for GIBill.com fans to visually connect with one another. And no matter if they're going to school for their families, careers, or just a better life, we're excited that the GIBill.com's 'Declare Your Major' photo contest can offer prize money with a purpose."

GIBill.com's "Declare Your Major" photo scholarship contest launched January 24 and runs for four weeks. The contest concludes on February 18, when a panel of GIBill.com judges will review all submissions and select the ten best entries to post on the GIBill.com Facebook Page.Though this will not determine the winners, fans will have the option to "Like" their favorite photo.GIBill.com will announce the winner on February 22 via their official Twitter profile.

"Veterans are a passionate community of people, and we're excited to have an opportunity to engage with them on a more personal level," Stoudt said."The 'Declare Your Major' contest is another way for us to learn more about our followers, their motivations, and what drives them to succeed."

GIBill.com, a trusted resource since 1999, provides in-depth benefits information and news to over 50,000 servicemembers and veterans each month. Devoted to providing comprehensive and pertinent information to servicemembers, veterans and their families, GIBill.com is committed to keeping members of the military community up-to-date on their Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits as well as provide information on tuition reimbursement rates, the housing allowance, GI Bill comparison charts, and much, much more.

- Steve moved on to Marjorie in a disturbingly quick fashion, never gave an explanation or apology to Mary.

- Steve had an apartment in New York that he neevr let Mary see, but Marjorie joined him there.

- Steve didn't show up to divorce hearing so Mary never had closure.

- Steve took their son, Wynton, from her and turned Wynton against her.

- Mary was evicted and thrown out of their home and left with NO money. He took everything from her.

- Mary claims Steve lied under oath saying he built his empire alone in order for her not to get a dime from him.

- She can't put this behind her because Steve is now suing her. He says MARY is the reason he did not get a show on Oprah's new OWN network.

- Mary is coming out with all of this now because Steve is dragging her name through the mud in the media and constantly brings her name up in interviews.

- Steve's lawyer prepared a letter of apology that he wanted her to sign saying she was responsible for anything bad about him and their marriage that ended up in the media. She had to take the blame for it.

Jan 22, 2011

"Milk + Honey" is a new series follows four African-American women as they traverse spiritual, professional and romantic journeys Los Angeles. The show stars Debbie Allen, as well as Lance Gross, Bryce Wilson, Faune Chambers, and newcomer Asha Kamali.

“Milk + Honey” is being Executive produced by Idris Elba and the production company Brown Paper Dolls, which is comprised of three dynamic Black women—Dana Gills, Asha Kamali May, and Jeanette McDuffie.

Here's hoping this series gets picked up on TV. This is definitely the type of programming that we have been missing and what makes it even better is the fact that it was produced by us for us. See, this just goes to show that when we put our minds to it we can actually come out with some quality stuff. Good luck to the ladies of Brown Paper Dolls and hey Idris ( I just love that man).

Mary Harvey, Steve's former wife of 16 years, is now partaking in Youtubery to blast her ex husband about what kind of man he really is. Grab ya popcorn. Deets and an EXPLICIT letter from one of his mistresses when you read on!

Mary Harvey, a former cosmetics associate, wants you all to know that the uber successful radio host/"relationship expert"/comedian/actor/author that we all know as Steve Harvey is not the same man she married several years ago. And to the public, he's acting like a stand-up guy that he really is not, at least not to her.

Here's a video of her detailing Steve's cheating habits with his mistresses--including one chick who sent a letter to Mary about condoms on the nightstand--and how he cheated on Mary with his current wife Marjorie. Of course, it is well known that Marjorie was originally Steve's other woman. But who knew she called Mary and Steve's house during their cheating escapades as if she had every right to enter the marriage?

Highlights:

Mary says Marjorie called their marital home claiming to be "checking up on" her application to work at Steve's suit company. Mary responded, "Well I don't believe I'm taking applications in my kitchen." WOMP.

Jan 21, 2011

I don't care what they say this has a lot to do with the Comcast merger. Keith Olbermann was one of the only people in mainstream media that actually had a mea culpa after the shootings in Tucson. It is definitely sad to see him go, but I'm glad Rachel Maddow is still on. Hopefully she'll be able to last after the merger.

Keith Olbermann and MSNBC abruptly announced tonight that "Countdown" has ended, effective immediately.

Olbermann broke the news to his viewers during his show's final sign-off (full video below). MSNBC issued a statement with the news following tonight's episode. According to the New York Times, the host came to an agreement with NBC management late this week to step down. "Countdown" aired for just under eight years.

The bizarre timing of the announcement has raised a number of speculations, from Olbermann's suspension last November to the departure of NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker in light of the network's recent acquisition by Comcast.

NBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said the Comcast merger had nothing to do with the decision.

Within minutes of the announcement, MSNBC unveiled their restructured evening lineup. Lawrence O'Donnell, host of "The Last Word," will move to 8 P.M., while "The Ed Show" with Ed Schultz will air at 10 P.M. Rachel Maddow's program will remain in its original 9 P.M. slot.

A source close to MSNBC management said network executives have grown increasingly impressed by O'Donnell and feel he has "grown into the job nicely." According to the source, Schultz will play well with both the late night and west coast audiences.

"The debut of the new lineup will be the State of the Union, with Lawrence now the central player," the source said.

Another source close to the network's management said that O'Donnell's background in both politics and entertainment helps him. "O'Donnell is a liberal Democrat, but he is an inside player -- a player -- by nature, having worked on the Hill for Pat Moynihan and in Hollywood."

Others believe "Hardball" host Chris Matthews will benefit from the shakeup. "One of the other winners in this is Chris Matthews," a source close to MSNBC management said. "He's been steady and uncomplaining. His numbers are better and he has a natural Philly connection to Comcast."

Fifteen months after her election, Bernice King, the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has declined the position of president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

She said in a written statement Friday that her decision came "after numerous attempts to connect with the official board leaders on how to move forward under my leadership, unfortunately, our visions did not align."

The board, meeting in Atlanta at the time King released her statement Friday morning, was not aware of her plans, according to one member, Art Rocker.

King initially delayed taking office because of turmoil of competing factions, both claiming to be the official board. One group tried to remove another from positions of power because then-Chairman Raleigh Trammell and then-Treasurer Spiver Gordon were suspected of mishandling $569,000 of SCLC funds, first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The FBI and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office opened investigations into the matter, and it is still pending. A grand jury in Ohio has indicted Trammell in connection with his spending of that chapter's money.

A Fulton County judge ruled last summer that Trammell and his supporters were not the official board. Even then, King did not assume the paid position of SCLC president.

King, a minister, was the first woman elected SCLC president, a position once held by her father, co-founder of the organization, and her brother, Martin Luther King III.

"After praying mightily and seeking wise counsel, I have decided not to assume the presidency of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference," she said in her statement. "As a steward of the King legacy, I must shift my focus to further advancing its growth and perpetuation overall. Specifically, I will be devoting my energy towards developing my mother's legacy, Mrs. Coretta Scott King; preparing to work with The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference alongside Reverend Samuel Rodriguez; and laying the groundwork to launch a ministry initiative. I will continue to pray for SCLC's growth and resurrection and wish the organization great success in its mission."

First Lady Michelle Obama is traveling to her hometown of Chicago Friday, where she will tape an upcoming episode of the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss her plans to start a "comprehensive national campaign" to support military families, the White House said.

In addition to Mrs. Obama's one-on-one interview with Ms. Winfrey, a military family will join appear on the show to share their own story. The journalists Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward will also appear to "tell stories of other courageous military families," according to the first lady's office.

The appearance is the latest in a string of high-profile moves by Mrs. Obama to promote her top agenda items, including healthy eating and supporting military families. On Thursday, she appeared in Washington with Wal-Mart executives to announce the company's new initiative to lower sodium, transfat and added sugars in is foods.

TMZ has learned ... the guy who famously battled a bedroom intruder is shooting a pilot for a reality show produced by E1 Entertainment. Actress Kali Hawk will serve as executive producer.

We're told the show doesn't have an official name yet -- but producers have already shot a bunch of footage centered around Antoine moving out of Alabama and over to West Hollywood.

So far, we're told the show is still looking for a deal with a network.

****The Savvy Sista Two and a half Cents****

As far as I am concerned, I will be checking out the show. Anyone that comes to the aid of his sister and defend her against a potential rapists is a hero in my book. Too bad to any of you who thinks that Antoine doesn't deserve a show because at least he did something that should make all us proud. He used his notoriety to move his family out of the 'hood. Sometimes heroes don't show up the way we expect them.

MONROE, N.C. — The mother of a missing North Carolina teen is pleading for information about her 16-year-old daughter in a case police say might have gained more media attention if the girl had been white.

She last talked to Phylicia on Christmas Day, just three days before she disappeared from her half-sister's apartment in northwest Baltimore.

"I told her how sad that I was because all of the children were gone and that next year, they're not going to be able to go because I was lonely without them. And she said, 'Mommy, I miss you, too,'" Sallis said.

Her disappearance has been reported in local media, NBC's TODAY show, CNN and ABC's "Good Morning America." But a Baltimore police official told NBC News that had the missing person been white, the case might have received even more media attention, perhaps aiding investigators in finding a suspect.

"I think the question has to be asked. It's not my position, I don't know what goes into these decisions, but this is Baltimore's Natalee Holloway case," said Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department. Holloway, then 18, disappeared in 2005 while on a high school graduation trip to Aruba. Her remains have never been found.

Guglielmi said he and "the commander of the homicide unit had been prepared to go on CNN's Nancy Grace but got bumped for an hour-long report on a missing Texas cheerleader," The Baltimore Sun reported.

"Day two, day three, when we were putting information out about Phylicia's disappearance, we were talking about birds falling out of the sky in Arkansas," Guglielmi said in an interview with CNN, The Charlotte Observer reported. "And this girl's in danger. And she needs help. And it was very frustrating for my office to see an anemic response from our national media partners."

Nearly 100 officers — from city, state and federal agencies — joined in the search for Phylicia, a popular, straight-A student who was reported missing Dec. 28. There has been no sign of her since. No cell phone calls or use, no use of her credit cards, and no updates to her Facebook page.

Guglielmi said detectives believe the teen may have been abducted, in part because of items she left at the apartment. Police described the apartment as a flop-house for college students. Janice Sallis told a North Carolina newspaper that at least 20 men had stayed at the house during her child's stay,

"We're doing everything we can do," Guglielmi told The Baltimore Sun. "We're basically at square one with the investigation. It's not like we have forensic evidence to guide us. The key here will be community intelligence."

Barnes is from Monroe, N.C., about 25 miles southeast of Charlotte. Her mother said her daughter was on track to graduate early from a charter school and had been applying to colleges.

Two congressmen also pleaded to the public to help solve the disappearance. Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Larry Kissell of North Carolina issued a joint statement asking the public to contact Baltimore police immediately with any information about Barnes' whereabouts.

NBC News correspondent Pete Williams and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

*****The Moral of the Story*****

If you are black please do not go missing because the mainstream media in this country does not give a damn about your life! Every day the media tells our children their lives don't mean anything. If Phylicia had blond hair and blues we would be innundated with information about her. This reminds me so much of the Mitrice Richardson case.